Maritime Watercolour Canvey Island

c1880-1900

The painting ‘View of Canvey’. You can see close ups in the gallery below

Currently for sale on ebay is this lovely watercolour dated c1880-1900. The current owner, Craig (whydontyoubuyit) has given us permission to feature it on the archive. This is his description.

‘On back of a board on the old frame it states ” View of Canvey Island “. The watercolour itself could well be an image of a ” Stacky Barge ” which were a common site at Canvey Island with it’s 12 / 15 stack of hay for the stables of London and the Home Counties.’

On the reverse it states ” Bacon 240 Seal Road 7 Oaks “

If you wish to have a look you can find it  here

Comments about this page

  • I have just seen this picture and description. It is not as described. The vessel has the appearance of, perhaps, a small coastal trader, often referred to as Hoys. The vessel could even be a fishing vessel: her rig is as per late 19th century smack types. The vessel beyond could be a smack on the Blackwater today. Her hull form appears to be of a rounded nature with flatish sections to her bottom, clearly without a chine. She has no leeboards and is not spritsail rigged – the characteristics of the Thames and Medway barges from early times (1700s and before). The artist does depict her, we have to assume, loading or discharging – whilst airing sails at the same time. Barge books by March and Carr are of no help – but March did write a book about other coastal vessels. Nick Ardley.

    By Nick Ardley (15/03/2011)

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